Report’s Portrait of Aging Permanent Diaconate in U.S. Out of Sync with Vatican II’s Vision, Say Experts

The number of permanent deacons in America is holding relatively steady, but more than a third of them are also at or approaching the required retirement age for many dioceses. According to experts, the situation may suggest a need for local churches to revisit the Second Vatican Council’s vision for the permanent diaconate and rethink how to invite men to discern the vocation.